First, find out where you applied
| You applied through | Your reference number | Where to check |
|---|---|---|
Protean (formerly NSDL) website or a Protean PAN centre | 15-digit acknowledgement number | Protean's PAN application status page |
UTIITSL website or centre | Application coupon number | UTIITSL's track PAN page. See our UTIITSL PAN status guide. |
Instant e-PAN on the income tax portal | 15-digit acknowledgement number | Income tax e-filing portal → Instant e-PAN |
Your acknowledgement email or slip tells you which one it was.
Check PAN status on Protean (NSDL)
- Open the PAN / TAN application status page on the Protean (NSDL) e-Gov website.
- Choose application type PAN – New / Change Request.
- Enter the 15-digit acknowledgement number and the captcha.
- Submit to see the current status and, once dispatched, the courier or speed post details.
The acknowledgement number is on the form summary you downloaded after paying, and in the confirmation email.
Check instant e-PAN status (free, Aadhaar-based)
- On the income tax e-filing portal, click Instant e-PAN under quick links.
- Choose Check Status / Download PAN.
- Enter your Aadhaar number and the OTP sent to the linked mobile.
- If the PAN has been allotted, you can download the e-PAN PDF straight away.
Instant e-PAN is free and usually allotted within minutes for people who have Aadhaar and don't already hold a PAN.
What each PAN status means
| Status | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
Application received / under process | Your form is being verified | Wait. Check again in a few days. |
PAN allotted | A PAN has been generated. The e-PAN is usually emailed. | Check your inbox, including spam, for the e-PAN PDF |
Card dispatched | The physical card is on its way | Track it with the consignment number shown |
Discrepancy / documents awaited | Something is missing or doesn't match | Send the documents asked for, or correct the mismatch |
Rejected | The application can't be processed | Read the reason. Apply again with corrected details. |
Why PAN applications get stuck
- The name or date of birth doesn't match Aadhaar. Fix Aadhaar first, then apply.
- For offline or scanned applications, the signed form or documents were never sent or uploaded.
- A blurred photo or signature.
- You already have a PAN. You can hold only one, so use the correction route instead. Having two PANs can attract a penalty.
A note on PAN 2.0: the government has approved a single unified portal for PAN services, with new cards carrying a dynamic QR code. Until that portal fully replaces the current systems, Protean and UTIITSL keep processing applications as before.
PAN allotted but the card hasn't arrived
You don't have to wait for the plastic card. The e-PAN emailed to you is a valid PAN card and is accepted for KYC by banks, employers and others. If the email is missing:
- Search your inbox and spam folder for mail from the agency you applied through.
- Download the e-PAN from the Protean or UTIITSL website using your PAN and date of birth. A free download is usually available for a limited period after allotment.
- If the card shows as dispatched but never arrived, track the consignment number on the India Post website. If it was returned, contact the agency with your acknowledgement number for redispatch.
If your address has changed since you applied, update it through a correction request rather than waiting for the card to find you.
Got your PAN? Do these two things
- Link it with Aadhaar if it isn't already. An unlinked PAN becomes inoperative. Check it with our PAN-Aadhaar link checker.
- If anything on the card is wrong, fix it early. Our guide to PAN card correction online shows how.
Applying for PAN as part of starting a business? A company or LLP gets its PAN with incorporation. See private limited company registration. For your own tax filing, TaxQue's income tax return filing service takes it from there.
